CHAPTER 21
Draco, Meet me tomorrow at three. Must see you again.---Bailey
Draco sat staring at the note that had just arrived. Mackenzie's friend, a confidant to her, someone he'd thought he would trust, who'd betrayed and lied to him-she had contacted him. She probably wanted to rub salt into his wounds, see the broken pieces he'd become. Seeing her would only generate more pain in him.
He turned the note over and wrote down two words, the only two words needed to convey any and everything he felt for her or anyone associated with Mackenzie at this point. He gave te note to one of his owls and sent it off. So this is how it had ended. True, what had ended had never actually begun, but nevertheless, it had ended. Not with a bang, a shot of fireworks cascading over the skies, not even with an 'I'm sorry' love note. No, it had ended with irony.
Boy meets girl, girl leaves boy at altar on wedding day. Boy meets new girl. New girl secretly falls in love with boy while bound to marry another boy. New girl marries boy, leaving the other boy to stand alone on his wedding day.
Irony. Angelina had done it George- and now Mackenzie in a roundabout way had done it to Draco.
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The honeymoon was definitely nearing its end. Real life had somehow instantly kicked into gear as George and Mackenzie now faced having to learn how to be a real life married couple, real problems, real disagreements and all.
The two had had more than a few arguments just over the past twenty-four hours. Both were overwhelmed and stressed out over the unending inconvenient complications caused over the revelation of Mackenzie's new last name. Once ALL of the wizarding media had heard of the Minister's family scandal, no one in Mackenzie's family could go out in public without being attacked. It was absolutely absurd. Mackenzie had expected the anger, the irritation, and the disappointment to come flying out of her family in the form of yelling and at the very least, lecturing, but it still hadn't come. That point only made Mackenzie's guilt worsen.
"We all knew what to expect." Hermione and Ginny had told her again as the women hid out together inside Mackenzie and George's home.
The three were sitting at home, staring at the envelope Mackenzie had just received. She had called her sisters over to hold her hand as she opened the news to her future. Inside of this little envelope lay the results of her exam. Pass or Fail. One of those words sat in big blod red letters on a piece of hidden paper. She had been so distracted during the test that she was almost certain of the word inside of the white envelope.
She had also decided her sisters were the best people to call because George had snuck out away from the house earlier that morning before the media could catch him. She wasn't exactly sure where her husband had run off to. The two were in the middle of another argument. They weren't speaking to one another yet. Hermione and Ginny had come to the rescue.
"George only wants to help you Kenny." Hermione said, an understanding in her tone. "He's your husband and let me tell you that he's far more supportive than Ron would be."
"Or Harry." Ginny added. "Our husband's are selfish. Yours is truly a gift from the heavens. You're very lucky to have found my brother, just as he is lucky to have found you."
"I couldn't agree more." Mackenzie answered, sighing, leaning back into her chair. "I appreciate his support and his assurance as much as anyone can. But that's the ninety percent of the time that I need it."
"And the other ten percent of the time?" The two women questioned.
"The other ten percent of the time, I don't want to be told 'it'll be alright' or 'it'll all work out for the best'. I want the truth. Sometimes I need to be told that it might not be alright."
"The truthful question is how do you tell the person who most completes you, who keeps you functioning from day to day that it might not all be okay?" The three girls heard from the archway, leading into the room. "How do you admit to the woman that holds your heart and soul that you might lose her."
"George." The three said in unison.
Mackenzie stood, facing her husband. "You could never ever lose me. No matter what happens, I'm yours."
George looked over to his sisters, a look of disinclination on his face. Both women worried along with Mackenzie.
"There is an annilment clause embedded into every marriage clause. It's drawn up into every contract or license in the marriage contracts department."
"Yes. I know George." Mackenzie told her husband. "But the law states that the contracts must all be signed in full completion by each party. I didn't sign my contracts. The clause doesn't apply."
"I wouldn't be worried if I thought it didn't apply Kenny."
"Why? What happened George? What do you mean?"
"I went to my parents house this morning." He took his wife by the hand, bringing her to sit on the couch beside him. "We were arguing and I wanted to give you some space." He faltered a little in mentioning an argument. "Then dad came home from the Ministry and luckily I was there when he had to explain that the annulment clause still counts against us."
"What?" Ginny expressed her distaste over the discovery. "How can it count for anything?"
"According to dad, when Malfoy went to the Ministry, he pushed every possible argument he could in his favor. According to the law, the clause states that if we are found truly undeniably guilty, our marriage will not count for anything. It'll be annulled. And Kenny will…"
"Have to marry Draco immediately." Mackenzie finished. "No." She stated, pressing her entire body to George's, holding him tight. "I won't lose you."
George onlysighed in an already defeated tone, wrapping his arms around her in return.
"This is one of those moments when I need you to lie to me. Tell me it'll be okay. Tell me this will all work out for us."
George ran his hand across her neck and back. "I wish I could give you a little more faith."
"I have unconditional faith in us George. I don't have faith in the legal system. At least not the one we're up against."
"Speaking of the justice system." Hermione spoke, watching the broken couple desperately search for options. Her eyes moved to the envelope Mackenzie still feared opening. "You can do it."
"What's that?" George questioned.
"My exam results." Mackenzie grumbled. "You open it George."
"They've come this quick?"
"They grade and send the results immediately." She explained to George as Hermione picked up the letter, handing it over to Mackenzie.
She slowly took the white envelope in her hand, holding it still for a minute. She felt George's hands rest to her shoulder, and tried to feel confident as she tore open the fold. She pulled out the piece of paper and unfolded it, reading to herself.
"I passed." She said in a whisper.
All three smiled, congratulating her.
"Kenny, that's great. We knew you would pass." Ginny hoorayed.
"We have to celebrate this." Hermione cheered her sister.
"Yeah. We'll celebrate." Mackenzie returned.
George pulled his arm around her, leaning down to her ear. "You sound a little surprised by the results darling."
Mackenzie turned her head to him. "I sort of am."
George smiled at her still. "You have to tell your father. He'll be so proud and thrilled to hear."
"Yeah. He's looking for my first moment of weakness to pin me into a permanent job at the Ministry."
"I'll go with you sweetheart. You really should go and tell him."
Reluctantly Mackenzie agreed, and the two said goodbye to their family.
"We'll plan a celebration." Ginny commented as the two walked into their floo, prepared to face the Ministry.
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This was the first time Mackenzie had been to the Ministry since the pictures of her and Geore surfaced in the Prophet. She was nervous, visibly so. She held tight to George's hand as they arrived. The two thought they might be lucky enough to make it down the long corridors without much notice. They had no such luck. At first there were just a few looks here and there, looks of disbelief. Then it started. One person called out Mackenzie's name, then George's name was shouted. The couple looked at each other briefly, knowing what to do next. They held hands tight, and ran for it. The couple sprinted down the final corridor to the Minister's office. The doors were closed as they approached and they didn't have time to stop to knock politely. Mackenzie pulled out her wand and blasted it open.
"Bombarda!" She yelled from feet away.
The door exploded and the pair rushed in, their breath gone, their expressions full of fear as they turned to Minister Chase who was up in a second at the door, halting anyone from entering or getting anymore of a glimpse of the couple. After repairing the door, he turned to his children.
"Mackenzie, what are you doing here? You know it is not safe for you or George to be seen until the hearings begin."
"I know daddy. I wouldn't have come here at all, but…" She pulled out the same white envelope from her back pocket, and handed it over to her father. "I thought this was rather important."
Samuel took the envelope and opened it, reading. The scolding look on his face quickly turned to elation. He smiled brightly, immediately taking Mackenzie into his arms.
"I'm so proud of you sweetheart. This is fantastic. " He then let go of his daughter and turned serious again. "You know what this means, don't you?"
The two shook their heads.
"You can officially defend you and George during the hearings. Who better to get you through this the way that you need to?"
Mackenzie's jaw dropped in horror. "No." She stated.
"What?" Both men inquired simultaneously.
"Kenny, who better to know what we want and how to go about getting it the way we want?" George argued.
"The first hearing is tomorrow. Granted it's just you two and Mr. Malfoy, but…" Samuel was insistent upon his idea.
Mackenzie just sat frowning while the two men plotted, planned, and designed a few plans of attack for the nearing future.
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Bailey was thrilled to see that Draco had sent her a response to her note earlier in the day—until she read what he'd written to her in return. What the hell had this meant? She studied the words written in perfect script.
'I know.'
The two words together could've meant anything or nothing at all. But instantly, she hoped to God that it didn't mean what she figured it could mean at this point. With Mackenzie about to break his heart by revealing her marriage to George, it could be overly disastrous for everyone if Draco knew anything about that yet.
Her cell phone rang at close to eleven. When she picked it up, an excitable Lilah swam through her explanation of Mackenzie's bar exam results, and the party being thrown to celebrate. Ginny had clearly contacted Lilah and spread the word. Bailey agreed without thought or question to attend. She was happy to hear about her friend's great news, but worried about the things she didn't yet know, the things that she would no doubt find out about tonight when she saw Mackenzie. She knew just how fragile the Draco-Mackenzie relationship still stood.
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Mackenzie was grateful to her home in view as she and George had apparted just a few yards away. Evening had finally come and had just started to turn to dark. The walk to the sanctuary was quiet as George simply held her close. He knew that she was conflicted about her father's suggestion to defend her and George against the laws of the Ministry. On the one hand, all three knew Mackenzie could easily take on the Ministry if she wanted to, if she was provoked enough, then there was the fear in her that worried she might make some huge horrible mistake, and botch up the entire process, only causing more trouble.
George opened the door to their home and allowed Mackenzie to enter before him. The two breathed a sigh of relief before George waved his wand over the lights in the foyer.
"SURPRISE!" Was all the couple heard when the lights revealed all of their family and friends standing beforte them.
The two jumped back. George looked warily at his wife who did not look in a party mood.
"Kenny, we heard your great news, and had to come and congratulate you." Lilah spoke, stepping forward to hug her friend tightly as Mackenzie noticed Fred's eyes not leaving her.
"Kenny," Bailey hugged her friend. "I'm so proud of you. But there is something I have to go and take care of. I'll see you in awhile." Bailey stated, not giving away the information that she was going to run off and scream at Draco Malfoy. As soon as she had arrived at George and Mackenzie's, she was informed immediately about all of the drama Draco Malfoy was causing after Mackenzie had decided to reveal their best kept secret.
"Thank you Bails." Mackenzie quietly spoke, letting her friend go.
George leaned down to his wife's ear. "Go on to the room and rest. I'll make a few excuses." He provided her an escape.
She looked up at him and smiled slightly. "Thanks." She said, turning to the others in the room. "I hope you all don't mind, but I don't much think I am in the best frame of mind for a party. I appreciate the thought and believe me, no one is happier than me that I've passed the exam, but I'm afraid my head simply isn't in it tonight. Please stay and have a good time."
George quietly walked around the room as his wife disappeared. He explained to everyone the latest amounts of stress his wife was feeling. Neither Mackenzie or George noticed the other red head who discreetly followed Mackenzie. She entered her bedroom and wasn't alone for more than a minute before hearing his voice behind her as he closed the door.
"You look like you've already been defeated." He said to her.
Mackenzie shook as she turned to him. He had clearly frightened her.
"You mean I'm not?"
"This isn't you Kenny. This is not the real Mackenzie Chase, the one who married into my family. You have no spark, no fire, no passion."
She sank down onto the bed. "Realy Fred, I know that I'm a bit changed, but I just feel so alone. I know well enough that you all and George, and my father are all standing beside me, but it really sucks when I have to fully realize that I seem to be the only one these problems are taking a toll on."
Fred chuckled. "Is that what you think Kenny?" That we're not all feeling the pressure of these issues?"
She frowned.
"Alright." He sat down beside her and smirked. "Would you like me to express how truly bothered by this I am personally?"
Mackenzie shrugged. "Couldn't hurt at this point. At least you'd be honest about what you're feeling instead of letting me think you're unfazed."
A twisted smile flashed over Fred's face before he turned serious. He stood up and looked down at her.
"To be honest, I don't understand what you two were thinking in the first bloody place. An idea like this was bound to have its serious consequences. You of all people should know better than to leave someone at an altar intentionally Kenny! After what George went through with Angelina, you'd think that maybe someone with your intelligence and heart couldn't possibly imagine putting someone else in that position! Even Malfoy!" His voice was raised enough to be lecturing, not yet yelling. "Perhaps the reason you feel so guilty is because you started to care for him. Perhaps you shouldn't have been quite so convincing in you attempt to make someone believe you cared for them , especially if you knew you were going to rip it all into pieces!"
She winced from the power behind his words.
"I am so sorry."
"Sorry doesn't excuse this behavior."
"I know!" She didn't even feel the tears begin to fall before sshe started to cry.
Fred immediately went to his sister-in-law, hugging her against him. "Don't cry Kenny." He said. "You know I didn't mean half of what I just said. I only said it because you said it's what you wanted to hear from me."
She held her arms around him and cried. "I know. I did need to hear that. Thanks for being half honest with me Fred. It's more than anyone else has done."
"Do I get brotherly points taken off for making you cry?"
"You had better be joking.." Mackenzie heard George warn from behind his brother. He saw her wipe away her tears. "Why is she crying?" He asked Fred. "What did you do?" His voice softened as he went to his wife. "What's he done?"
Mackenzie released Fred and wiped her tear stained cheeks again.
"Why would you make my wife cry? I've a good mind to…"
"He was helping me." Mackenzie defended. "Don't be so angry with Fred. He may have just saved you a lot of time and struggle to make me feel better."
George looked over at Fred who inched to the door.
"Oh. Well, cheers then. Better she cry from you rather than me."
Fred laughed. "Don't worry Kenny." He said. "It's all going to wrk out somehow. Good or bad, we're ALL here."
She struggled to find a smile. "Thanks Fred. I know it'll work out. It will have to with me defending us."
George leaned back to look at her. "What changed your mind?"
"Fred." Mackenzie pointed out. "He made me realize again that my actions have consequences-our actions have consequences, and responsibility needs to be taken for it all."
"Way to go Fred." George congratulated.
The three jumped together as Fred turned and both Molly and Ginny's voices were heard clear across the house.
"Hermione's gone into labor! Her water has just broken!"
The three were out the door in seconds, running down the hallway. Mackenzie went to Hermione , who seemed to be nothing but calm in her situation, as Ginny and Mackenzie both struggled to help her.
Fred and Geore found Ron sitting in the kitchen, panicking. He focused on his breathing while Molly, Mackenzie, and Ginny all flooed to the hospital with Hermione, the men following minutes later after Ron calmed enough to walk again. He was about to be a father. God help the world, Ron Weasley was going to be a daddy.
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"Draco!" The woman called, knocking furiuosly on the front doors to Malfoy Manor. "Draco Malfoy, you open this door right now!" Fred had surreptitiously told her where to find the blond man.
She stood banging on his door for ten minutes straight before the locks were undone and the door finally opened.
"You're being rude." A troubled looking Draco Malfoy stood before her.
"And you're behaving cruelly and vindictively." Bailey crossed her arms.
"You shouldn't have come here." He told her, attempting to close the door.
Bailey pressed her forearm to the door, pushing it open enough to maneuver inside.
"Well, I am here." She said, now standing inside, standing directly in front of him. "So now you're going to talk to me. I just heard about what happened. I got your note and didn't realize what it meant until I found out that you'd been told about Mackenzie and George."
Draco turned away from her, hiding the feeling in his eyes. "I do hope you haven't come here on Mackenzie's behalf."
"Of course not."
Even if it weren't true, Draco's spirit lifted half an inch, but dropped again when the next words were voiced.
"You knew about Mackenzie and George Weasley." He accused.
She nodded nervously. "But you cannot hold that against me." She said, following him as he went angrily stalking through the Manor after her response. "In my defense, I didn't know about the wedding until the night before, and I had no idea about the contract you had with her until well after she and George shared their news."
Draco whipped around to face her, a cold viciousness in his stare.
"THAT IS NOT A DEFENSE!" He shouted. "You knew and you didn't tell me! All of this time we've been spending together, and you never said a word. I trusted you. I trusted her!"
"She is my best-friend!" Bailey yelled back.
"Why are you here?" Draco lowered his voice marginally, his tone still serious.
Bailey took a step back. "I don't know. I suppose I wanted to see you again."
"Why? Do you feel sorry for me? Is this more pity now that the secrets are out?"
"Draco Malfoy, you stupid prat! I came here to see you. I hoped that you'd want to see me. I had hoped you might've thought about me too over the last week or so. I was under the impression that there was a shred of something between us…" She stopped. "You're right. I shouldn't have come here." She turned to walk away, taking a few steps before his hand stopped her. She turned back around to face him again.
"You lied to me."
"I want her to be happy." Their eyes met. "It wasn't easy. Lying to you I mean."
"You didn't have to. I might've…"
Bailey crossed her arms again. "And if you'd known even a shred of what was going on, what would you have done?"
"That's not the point." Draco pouted.
"That is the point Draco. But personally, I think you aer both wrong for what you've done and what you aer doing to each other. How can you stand here and with any integrity think that what you're putting her through is right?"
"You're trying to lecture me on my integrity and the morality of these circumstances? In all truth Bailey, I think I'm being quite kind considering." This time he passed by her to leave the room.
"Draco stop." Bailey pleaded. "Please don't do this to her. Don't take this any more public than it has gone."
"Thought you weren't here on her behalf." Draco mumbled.
"Please stop this."
"I can't. It's done."
"Then so are we. She comes first. Im sorry."
"Me too."
END CHAPTER